Biochemical reaction cassette and detection apparatus for biochemical reaction cassette

Abstract

A biochemical reaction cassette comprises: a substrate carrying probes immobilized thereon, the probes being adapted to be specifically bound to a target substance; a reaction space forming member for forming a reaction space with the substrate; an elastic member; and an anchor member for supporting the substrate so as to keep it movable relative to the reaction space forming member by way of the elastic member.

1 . A biochemical reaction cassette comprising: 
 a substrate carrying probes immobilized thereon, the probes being adapted to be specifically bound to a target substance;    a reaction space forming member for forming a reaction space with the substrate;    an elastic member; and    an anchor member for supporting the substrate so as to keep it movable relative to the reaction space forming member by way of the elastic member.    
     
     
         2 . The biochemical reaction cassette according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the elastic member is made of a spring or rubber.    
     
     
         3 . A detection apparatus provided with a biochemical reaction cassette for detecting a target substance caught by probes, the apparatus comprising: 
 the biochemical reaction cassette including: 
 a substrate carrying probes immobilized thereon, the probes being adapted to be specifically bound to the target substance;  
 a reaction space forming member for forming a reaction space with the substrate;  
 an elastic member; and  
 an anchor member for supporting the substrate so as to keep it movable relative to the reaction space forming member by way of the elastic member;  
   a detector having a detection surface for detecting the target substance caught by the probes of the biochemical reaction cassette;    three or more than three supports having respective front end sections;    a mechanism for contacting the supports to the substrate; and    a holding structure for holding the biochemical reaction cassette; wherein    the plane including the front ends of the three or more than three supports is parallel to the detection surface.    
     
     
         4 . A detection apparatus provided with a biochemical reaction cassette for detecting a target substance caught by probes, the apparatus comprising: 
 the biochemical reaction cassette including: 
 a substrate carrying probes immobilized thereon, the probes being adapted to be specifically bound to the target substance; and  
 a reaction space forming member for forming a reaction space with the substrate;  
   a detector having a detection surface for detecting the target substance caught by the probes of the biochemical reaction cassette;    three or more than three supports having respective front end sections;    a mechanism for contacting the supports to the substrate;    a holding structure for holding the biochemical reaction cassette; and    an elastic member for supporting the biochemical reaction cassette so as to be movable relative to the holding structure; wherein    the biochemical reaction cassette is anchored to the holding structure by way of the elastic member, and    the plane including the front end sections of the three or more than three supports is parallel to the detection surface.    
     
     
         5 . The detection apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 the elastic member is made of a spring or rubber.    
     
     
         6 . The detection apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein 
 the elastic member is made of a spring or rubber.    
     
     
         7 . A method of detecting a target substance caught by probes of a biochemical reaction cassette, the method comprising steps of: 
 supporting the biochemical reaction cassette by means of a holding structure;    the biochemical reaction cassette including: 
 a substrate carrying probes immobilized thereon, the probes being adapted to be specifically bound to a target substance;  
 a reaction space forming member for forming a reaction space with the substrate;  
 an elastic member; and  
   an anchor member for supporting the substrate so as to keep it movable relative to the reaction space forming member by way of the elastic member;    correcting a posture of the substrate relative to the reaction space forming member, while pressing three or more than three supports having respective front end sections against the substrate and elastically deforming the elastic member; and    detecting the target substance caught by the probes of the substrate by a detection means having a detection surface; wherein    the plane including the front end sections of the three or more than three supports is parallel to the detection surface.    
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein 
 the step of detecting the target substance caught by the probes is performed in a state that the reaction space forming member is removed from the biochemical reaction cassette.    
     
     
         9 . A method of detecting a target substance caught by probes of a biochemical reaction cassette, the method comprising steps of: 
 supporting the biochemical reaction cassette by means of a holding structure by way of an elastic member;    the biochemical reaction cassette including: 
 a substrate carrying probes immobilized thereon, the probes being adapted to be specifically bound to a target substance;  
 a reaction space forming member for forming a reaction space with the substrate; and  
 an anchor member for supporting the substrate so as to keep it movable relative to the reaction space forming member by way of the elastic member;  
   correcting a posture of the entire biochemical reaction cassette, while pressing three or more than three supports having respective front end sections against the substrate and elastically deforming the elastic member; and    detecting the target substance caught by the probes of the substrate by a detection means having a detection surface; wherein    the plane including the front end sections of the three or more than three supports is parallel to the detection surface.